Delta Airline Employees Committed to Raising US$2/£1.55 Million

The event is modelled after the American Cancer Society‘s Relay For Life, during which communities walk together to honour cancer survivors, remember lost loved ones and support those still fighting the battle. Delta Air Lines employees will host the relay inspired airport walks inside airport facilities Delta serves around the world including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Madrid, Minneapolis St. Paul, New York, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Seattle and Tokyo.

“From employee driven fundraisers to company wide initiatives, we’re proud of the overwhelming support our employees give to this cause each year,” said Gareth Joyce, Delta’s Senior Vice President Airport Customer Service & President Cargo. “Whether you have personally battled cancer or you watched a friend or family member fight the disease, cancer touches everyone. That’s why Delta employees and our customers are committed to donating more than US$2/£1.55 million to the American Cancer Society in 2017.”

The airline kicked off its American Cancer Society events for the month last Friday, when thousands of Delta employees, customers and corporate partners participated in the Delta corporate Relay For Life event and the eighth annual Delta Jet Drag at its Technical Operations facility in Atlanta. The Jet Drag is an aeroplane sized tug-of-war which more than 100 teams each raise US$1,500/£1159 to pull a 167,000 pounds aircraft 20 feet in the fastest time. The corporate Relay For Life is an all day walk with a carnival atmosphere including fundraisers hosted by employee teams.

The events were held together for the first time this year, making it the airline’s biggest American Cancer Society event yet in celebration of Delta’s 15 years of partnership with the Society. Delta had a special surprise for attendees, saxophonist Kenny G, who had serenaded Delta customers on a flight in April after being inspired by Delta flight attendant Jane Mitchell. Mitchell’s daughter was claimed by brain cancer and since then, she has been passionate about spreading awareness and being part of Delta’s campaign.

“This is personal for me,” said Mitchell, whose team has raised more than US$120,000/£92,757 in honour of her daughter. “I’m on a mission to raise as much as I can for research. That’s a promise I made.”